NEW! - Alabama Statewide AHEC Program The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine has received a five-year, $5.25 million grant from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration to create an Alabama Statewide Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program. AHECs reduce health disparities by improving the quantity, diversity, distribution and quality of Alabama’s healthcare workforce. UAB will establish five regional offices around the state that will address the access goal by undertaking a number of initiatives to increase the number of students who enter healthcare programs, train in rural and underserved areas, and obtain healthcare jobs. Increasing the numbers of physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dentists, therapists, and other health professionals, especially those coming from rural and underserved areas, has been shown to increase access and improve the overall health of communities. GOALS OF THE ALABAMA AHEC 1. Develop a sustainable Alabama Statewide AHEC Program that covers all 67 counties of the state with five (5) community-based AHEC Centers. This grant requires a 1:1 match with state funding. 2. Implement programs, services and activities that target underrepresented minority, rural, and other disadvantaged Alabamians for careers in the health professions. 3. Influence the training of health professions students/residents toward primary care through rotations with Alabama’s medically needy populations. 4. Improve the health and quality of care provided to medically needy Alabamians by providing continuing education and support for targeted healthcare providers. August 2013 ALABAMA AHEC PARTNERS The success of the Alabama Statewide AHEC Program will depend on the participation of the many healthcare educational institutions around the state. UAB will partner with both educators and providers who employ healthcare professionals. Among those already committed to work with AHEC include: Alabama A&M University Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine Auburn University Jefferson Davis Community College Quality of Life Health Centers Samford University Tuskegee University University of Alabama University of South Alabama Whatley Health Services, Inc. And more! BENEFITS OF THE ALABAMA AHEC For Middle and High School Students Work with schools to prepare disadvantaged and underrepresented students for health careers Introduce students to wide assortment of health careers Develop creative, hands-on, innovative learning opportunities For Health Professions Students/Residents Place medical students and residents, NPs, PAs, nurses, dentists and others in clinical rotations serving rural and underserved populations Clinical placements in community health centers, health departments, rural hospitals, rural practices and more… For Health Professionals Already Serving Alabama’s Needy Populations Provide continuing professional education that meets identified needs and addresses Alabama’s major health concerns Participate in the clinical training of Alabama’s next generation of health providers Provide information and supportive services HEALTH PROFESSIONS PROMOTED BY ALABAMA AHEC Physicians – M.D. and D.O. Nurse Practitioners Physician Assistants Nurses Pharmacists Dentists Public Health Professionals Dietitians and Nutritionists Physical Therapists Occupational Therapists Respiratory Therapists Radiological Technicians Healthcare Management And more! For Alabamians FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Please contact: AHEC addresses Alabama’s overall 2012 health ranking of 45th by: Art Clawson, EdS Expanding the healthcare workforce Facilitating the distribution and diversity of the healthcare workforce Increasing access to healthcare Delivering vital patient care Reducing health disparities Improving health outcomes Increasing revenue through creating new jobs and services Associate Director, Alabama Statewide AHEC UAB Family and Community Medicine 930 20th Street South Birmingham, AL 35205 Phone: 205-975-3024 Fax: 205-975-5938 E-mail: aclawson@uab.edu